The Highway 61 petition started last week by the Lewis County student's SMART group has received strong support in Scotland County.

The Antique Fair last weekend served as a bountiful source of signatures for the drive that is seeking 25,000 signers by September 7th when the group plans to present the literature calling for Highway 61 to be completely four laned in Missouri.

Anyone still wishing to sign the petition can do so at the Memphis Democrat office.

The petition drive also received a boost from Senator John Cauthorn, who has added an electronic version of the paperwork to his legislative website in an effort to help the Canton students.

"I think this is a great cause, and I'm proud and pleased to add the students' petition to my legislative website," Cauthorn said. "These students are working hard to bring needed improvements to a key highway in our district, and I am more than glad to help them in their efforts."

The students, as well as Senator Cauthorn, are hopeful that by presenting a petition to the Highway Commission they will be able to expedite the engineering, right-of-way acquisition and construction of U.S. 61, Avenue of the Saints, that will reach from St. Louis to St. Paul, MN.

The petition will be available in PDF format, and can be accessed on Sen. Cauthorn's website at:

www.senate.state.mo.us/01info/ members/mem18.htm.

Anyone wishing to help gather signatures for the petition may access the site, print out a copy of the petition and gather signatures to help the cause.

"This is an important project for these students and for our state," Cauthorn said. "These students are learning about citizenship by working as citizens to help improve our highways. That's something we can all be proud of."